Tape product dispenser and method of using a tape product dispenser

ABSTRACT

A tape product dispenser and method of using a tape product dispenser comprises a reel member comprising an internal loading surface for loading a tape product and a housing. The housing comprises a lower portion, an upper portion configured to be opened to permit access to the reel member and a housing port to enable dispensing of a tape product from an interior of the housing or loading of a tape product from outside of the housing. The lower portion and upper portion cooperate to at least partially enclose the reel member.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/689,070, filed May 29, 2012, which is herebyincorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tape product dispensers and methods ofusing tape product dispensers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tape products may include knife tape, thin paint tape, and edge cut tapeproducts that are used for many different purposes. Knife tape and edgecut tape products may be used to apply graphics for advertising orotherwise displaying graphics on signs, automobiles, buildings, andnumerous other surfaces. Additionally, vehicle painters, pinstripeinstallers, and graphics installers use tape products such as thin painttape and knife tape to precisely apply complicated paint and vinylgraphic designs.

Tape products are typically supplied in a bulk roll. The user mustsimultaneously unroll and handle the bulk roll while attempting to applythe tape product to a work surface in a desired pattern. However, manyapplications of tape products require the tape product to be appliedusing extensive artistic and utilitarian design techniques. Some ofthese design techniques include the use of curves, swirls, perfectstraight lines, complete changes in tape direction, and placement overuneven surfaces, convex and concave curves, overlapping seams, and ontodifficult areas to access. Handling of the cumbersome bulk tape rolloften hinders the creation and application of these complicated paintand graphic patterns.

Therefore, there remains a need for a tape product dispenser thatreduces the handling requirements of the user as the tape product isapplied to a work surface. Additionally, a tape product dispenser thatcan be quickly and securely loaded from a bulk roll is desirable inorder to reduce transfer time of the tape product from the bulk roll tothe tape product dispenser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a tape product dispenseris provided comprising a reel member comprising an internal loadingsurface for loading a tape product. The tape product dispenser furthercomprises a housing comprising a lower portion, an upper portionconfigured to be opened to permit access to the reel, and a housing portto enable dispensing of a tape product from an interior of the housingor loading of a tape product from outside of the housing. The lowerportion and upper portion cooperate to at least partially enclose thereel member, and the upper portion includes a central opening to allowrotation of the reel member.

In accordance with further aspects of the invention, the reel member mayfurther comprise a central protrusion that protrudes into the centralopening to permit rotation of the reel member from outside of thehousing. The central protrusion may comprise a central indentationconfigured to engage a tool such that rotation of the tool enablesrotation of the reel member. The tool may comprise a screwdriver, screwgun, drill, or similar rotating or driving instrument.

In accordance with still further aspects of the invention, the reelmember may further comprise a central portion configured to allowrotation of the reel member upon rotation of the central portion. Thereel member may further comprise a loading cavity adjacent to theinternal loading surface to enable loading of a tape product onto theinternal loading surface. The reel member may further comprise a loadingflange configured to be disposed adjacent to the lower portion of thehousing and to cooperate with the loading surface to load a tape productonto the loading surface.

In accordance with still further aspects of the present invention, theupper portion may be at least partially transparent. Additionally, theupper portion and lower portion may each comprise a cylindrical shape,and the upper portion may comprise a lid that is separable from thelower portion. The lower portion may comprise a magnetic memberconfigured to allow magnetic coupling of the lower portion of thehousing to a mounting surface. The lower portion may further comprise anouter surface comprising a low friction material configured to minimizedamage to the mounting surface due to contact with the lower portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method ofusing a tape product dispenser is provided comprising providing a reelmember comprising an internal loading surface, providing a housingcomprising a lower portion, an upper portion and a housing port, placinga portion of a tape product through the housing port such that theportion is inside the housing, placing the portion of the tape producton the internal loading surface, closing the housing such that thehousing at least partially encloses the reel member, rotating the reelmember such that the portion of the tape product and additional portionsof the tape product are loaded onto the internal loading surface, anddispensing the tape product through the housing port.

In accordance with further aspects of the invention, the method of usinga tape product dispenser may further comprise opening the housing at theupper portion to access the reel member before placing the portion ofthe tape product through the housing port. Additionally, the method ofusing a tape product dispenser may comprise opening the housing at theupper portion to access the reel member after placing the portion of thetape product through the housing port and before placing the portion ofthe tape product on the internal loading surface.

In accordance with still further aspects of the invention, the method ofusing a tape product dispenser may further comprise placing the portionof the tape product on a loading flange disposed adjacent to the lowerportion of the housing that cooperates with the loading surface to loada tape product onto the loading surface. Placing the portion of the tapeproduct on the internal loading surface may comprise placing the portionof the tape product on or into a loading cavity to enable loading of atape product onto the internal loading surface. Rotating the reel membermay comprise engaging a central portion of the reel member to permitrotation of the reel member from outside of the housing. Rotating thereel member may further comprise engaging a central protrusion of thereel member, which protrudes into a central opening of the upper portionof the housing, with a mechanical or motorized device such that rotationof said mechanical or motorized device enables rotation of said reelmember. A mechanical or motorized device of the present invention mayinclude a crank, screwdriver, screw gun, or drill such that rotation ofthe screwdriver, screw gun, or drill enables rotation of the reelmember. Dispensing may comprise pulling the tape product through thehousing port. Dispensing may further comprise magnetically coupling thelower portion of the housing to a mounting surface, wherein the mountingsurface may include a vehicle surface or an item worn by the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that thepresent invention will be better understood from the followingdescription in conjunction with the accompanying Drawing Figures, inwhich like reference numerals identify like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape product dispenser according toaspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a tape product dispenseraccording to aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tape product dispenser and oneembodiment of engagement of the tape product dispenser according toaspects of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tape product dispenser and anotherembodiment of engagement of the tape product dispenser according toaspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment,reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof,and in which is shown by way of illustration, and not by way oflimitation, a specific preferred embodiment in which the invention maybe practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may beutilized and that changes may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a tape productdispenser is provided to dispense tape products including, but notlimited to, knife tape products, thin paint tape products, and edge cuttape products for use by installers such as vinyl graphic installers,vehicle wrap installers, vehicle painters, vehicle pinstripe artists,and sign painters or designers. The present invention aids applicationof a variety of tape and tape cutting products to various surfaces suchas vehicles, indoor substrates, and outdoor substrates.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which shows a tape product dispenser 10according to aspects of the present invention. The dispenser 10 is shownhaving a housing 12 comprising a lower portion 14 and an upper portion16. The upper portion 16 is configured to be opened to permit access toa reel member 18. In the preferred embodiment, the housing 12 is in theshape of a cylinder with the upper portion 16 of the housing 12 being atransparent lid. When the upper portion 16 is closed, a transparent lidallows observation of the rotation of the reel member 18 to confirmproper loading of tape product while also providing an indication of theamount of tape product on the reel member 18. A housing port 20 is shownon the lower portion 14 of the housing 12 in the preferred embodiment ofFIG. 1. The housing port 20 enables dispensing of a tape product from aninterior of the housing 12. Additionally, the housing port 20 enablesloading of a tape product from outside of the housing 12 as will befurther explained below. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper portion 16includes a central opening 24 to allow access to, and rotation of, thereel member 18 from outside of the housing 12 when the dispenser 10 isassembled as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the exploded view of FIG. 2 shows the lowerportion 14 and the upper portion 16 of the dispenser 10 cooperating toat least partially enclose the reel member 18. The reel member 18includes an internal loading surface 26 onto which a tape product isloaded when the reel member 18 is rotated. The reel member 18 of thepreferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2 additionally includes a loadingcavity 28 adjacent to the internal loading surface 26. When a tapeproduct is initially loaded onto the internal loading surface 26, an endportion of the tape product is placed through the housing port 20 beforethe end portion of the tape product is placed on a surface of theloading cavity 28 to enable loading of the tape product onto theinternal loading surface 26 through rotation of the reel member 18. Thecentral opening 24 allows the reel member 18 to be rotated with theupper portion 16 of the housing 12 connected with the lower portion 14to at least partially enclose the reel member 18. However, reel member18 may also be rotated with the upper portion 16 removed from the lowerportion 14. FIG. 2 illustrates the loading cavity 28 as a slot thatextends through a central cylinder of the reel member 18. However, theloading cavity 28 may include any surface or cavity designed to initiateloading of the tape product onto the reel member 18 prior to or duringrotation of the reel member 18.

FIG. 2 additionally illustrates a loading flange 30 extending radiallyoutward from the internal loading surface 26. The loading flange 30 isdisposed adjacent to the lower portion 14 of the housing 12 when thedispenser 10 is assembled as shown in the preferred embodiment ofFIG. 1. During loading and dispensing, the loading flange 30 cooperateswith the internal loading surface 26 to load and support a tape producton the internal loading surface 26.

Additionally, FIGS. 1 and 2 of the present invention illustrate acentral portion 32 of the reel member 18. Central portion 32 is alsoreferred to herein as a central protrusion 32. In the preferredembodiment of the present invention, central protrusion 32 is intendedto protrude into the central opening 24 of the upper portion 16 of thehousing 12 when the dispenser is assembled as shown in FIG. 1. Thecentral protrusion 32, loading flange 30, internal loading surface 26,and loading cavity 28 of the reel member 18 are all integrally connectedto each other as one machined polymeric piece in the preferredembodiment. However, these integral portions of the reel member 18 maybe separately formed and coupled together into a reel member assembly.Additionally, any portion of the reel member 18 may be formed by othermanufacturing processes, such as molding, and may be comprised ofanother material such as wood, metal, composite, or combinationsthereof.

The central protrusion 32 and the central opening 24 of the upperportion 16 of the housing 12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, cooperate toallow the reel member 18 to be accessed from outside of the housing 12such that the reel member 18 may be rotated with the upper portion 16 ofthe housing 12 closed. FIG. 2 shows the central protrusion 32 of thepreferred embodiment including a central indentation 34 to enableengagement with a tool to allow rotation of the reel member 18.

Additionally, FIGS. 3 and 4 further illustrate the central indentation34 of the preferred embodiment being configured to engage a tool such asa screwdriver 36, screw gun 38, or drill 38 to enable rotation of thereel member 18 from outside of the housing 12 when the upper portion 16is closed. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the dispenser 10 is quickly andsecurely loaded with tape product from a bulk roll 40 with the use ofeither a screwdriver 36, screw gun 38, or drill 38 to rotate the reelmember 18. In place of a tool engaging the reel member 18, the reelmember 18 of the present invention may include a crank or similar device(not shown) integrally formed with, or coupled to, the reel member 18 torotate the reel member 18 from outside of the housing 12. Further, thecrank or similar device may be removable or releasably attached to thereel member 18.

Referring again to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2, the lower portion14 of housing 12 comprises a magnetic member 42. The magnetic member 42of the preferred embodiment is a thin rare earth magnet that is fastenedto an inside surface 44 of the lower portion 14 of the housing 12. Themagnetic member 42 is configured to allow magnetic coupling of thehousing 12 to a mounting surface, such as a metallic or magnetic vehiclepanel, wrist band, vest, or jacket. The outside surface 46 of the lowerportion 14 of the housing 12 comprises a low friction materialconfigured to minimize damage to the mounting surface due to contactwith the lower portion 14. In the preferred embodiment, the outersurface 46 of the lower portion 14 includes a fiberglass tape covering.Additionally, an outer surface of the reel member 18 may also include alow friction material, such as a fiberglass tape covering, in order toreduce rotational resistance due to friction between the reel member 18and the inside surfaces of the housing 12. In place of, or in additionto, the magnetic member 42, other fastening devices may be utilized tocouple the housing 12 to a mounting surface. Such fastening devices mayinclude hook and loop fasteners, adhesives, or mechanical fasteners.

Upon dispensing, the tape product is pulled from the dispenser 10through the housing port 20. In order to increase dexterity for theuser, the lower portion 14 may be magnetically attached to a metallicsurface, such as a vehicle, wrist band, waist, tool pouch, vest, orjacket surface, as the tape product is pulled and applied to themounting surface. Once attached to the mounting surface, the user hascomplete two-handed access to the tape product so that the tape may beplaced onto a work surface for unlimited artistic and utilitariandesign, including the use of curves, swirls, perfect straight lines,complete changes in tape direction, and placement over convex andconcave curves, overlapping seams, and onto difficult areas to access.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tape product dispenser, comprising: a reelmember comprising an internal loading surface for loading a tapeproduct; and a housing, comprising: a lower portion; an upper portionconfigured to be opened to permit access to said reel member; and ahousing port to enable dispensing of a tape product from an interior ofsaid housing or loading of a tape product from outside of said housing,wherein said lower portion and upper portion cooperate to at leastpartially enclose said reel member.
 2. The tape product dispenser ofclaim 1, wherein said reel member further comprises a central protrusionthat protrudes into a central opening of said upper portion to permitrotation of said reel member from outside of said housing.
 3. The tapeproduct dispenser of claim 2, wherein said central protrusion comprisesa central indentation configured to engage a tool such that rotation ofsaid tool enables rotation of said reel member.
 4. The tape productdispenser of claim 1, wherein said reel member further comprises acentral portion configured to allow rotation of said reel member uponrotation of said central portion.
 5. The tape product dispenser of claim1, wherein said reel member further comprises a loading cavity adjacentto said internal loading surface to enable loading of a tape productonto said internal loading surface.
 6. The tape product dispenser ofclaim 1, wherein said reel member further comprises a loading flangeconfigured to be disposed adjacent to said lower portion of said housingand to cooperate with said loading surface to load a tape product ontosaid loading surface.
 7. The tape product dispenser of claim 1, whereinsaid upper portion is at least partially transparent.
 8. The tapeproduct dispenser of claim 1, wherein said upper portion and lowerportion each comprise a cylindrical shape and said upper portioncomprises a lid that is separable from said lower portion.
 9. The tapeproduct dispenser of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a magneticmember configured to allow magnetic coupling of said housing to amounting surface.
 10. The tape product dispenser of claim 9, whereinsaid housing further comprises an outer surface comprising alow-friction material configured to minimize damage to said mountingsurface due to contact with said lower portion.
 11. A method of using atape product dispenser, comprising: providing a reel member comprisingan internal loading surface; providing a housing comprising: a lowerportion; an upper portion; and a housing port; placing a portion of atape product through said housing port such that said portion is insidesaid housing; placing said portion of said tape product on said internalloading surface; closing said housing such that said housing at leastpartially encloses said reel member; rotating said reel member such thatsaid portion of said tape product and additional portions of said tapeproduct are loaded onto said internal loading surface; and dispensingsaid tape product through said housing port.
 12. The method of using atape product dispenser of claim 11, further comprising: opening saidhousing at said upper portion to access said reel member before saidplacing said portion of said tape product through said housing port. 13.The method of using a tape product dispenser of claim 11, furthercomprising: opening said housing at said upper portion to access saidreel member after said placing said portion of said tape product throughsaid housing port and before said placing said portion of said tapeproduct on said internal loading surface.
 14. The method of using a tapeproduct dispenser of claim 11, wherein placing said portion of said tapeproduct on said internal loading surface comprises placing said portionof said tape product on a loading cavity to enable loading of a tapeproduct onto said internal loading surface.
 15. The method of using atape product dispenser of claim 11, wherein said rotating said reelmember comprises engaging a central portion of said reel member topermit rotation of said reel member from outside of said housing. 16.The method of using a tape product dispenser of claim 15, wherein saidengaging further comprises engaging a central protrusion that protrudesinto a central opening of said upper portion with a mechanical ormotorized device such that rotation of said mechanical or motorizeddevice enables rotation of said reel member.
 17. The method of using atape product dispenser of claim 11, wherein said dispensing furthercomprises coupling said housing to a mounting surface.
 18. The method ofusing a tape product dispenser of claim 17, wherein said mountingsurface includes a vehicle surface.
 19. The method of using a tapeproduct dispenser of claim 17, wherein said mounting surface includes auser surface.
 20. The method of using a tape product dispenser of claim19, wherein said user surface includes one of a wristband, belt, toolpouch, vest, and jacket surface.